News Updates From the Diocesan Chancery

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Chancery wishes to bring to the attention of diocesan clergy and faithful the following news updates and reminders regarding upcoming activities and events in the Diocese and beyond.

Special Assembly of Diocesan Priests For Selecting A Candidate to Succeed Metropolitan Nicholas as Ruling Diocesan Hierarch

The deadline for priests to submit the names of additional episcopal candidates for consideration at the Special Assembly is June 15, 2012

Diocesan clergy and faithful will have the opportunity to meet Very Rev. Archimandrite Grigorios (Tatsis) who is a candidate for the episcopacy on Sunday June 10, 2012 at Camp Nazareth, during the Family Day Celebration and at St. George’s Church in Taylor PA on Tuesday June 19, 2012 at 11:00 am.

The schedule of events at St. George’s Church in Taylor is as follows:

Diocesan clergy attending the Taylor, PA “Meet and Greet” Session will have the opportunity at both venues to meet privately with Fr. Grigorios. Diocesan Priests are kindly asked to RSVP Fr. Mark Leasure with the number of parish faithful attending at fr.mal@comcast.net by June 18, 2012

Family Day- Family Day will take place this Sunday June 10, 2012. A special Family Camp will take place from June 8-10. Very Rev. Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis, an episcopal candidate for our diocese will be in attendance.

Camp Nazareth Early Bird Registration Discount – Camp Nazareth is offering a $20.00 discount per camper if registration is completed by June 15, 2012. Click Here For More Information and To Register .

Bishop John Camperships - Financial aid is available for diocesan youth participating in the Summer camping program at Camp Nazareth through the Bishop John Campership Program. Parents who are experiencing a financial hardship are asked to contact their parish priest who will forward a request to the Camp Director. These camperships are made possible through the beneficence of the National ACRY.

Diocesan Altarboy Retreat 2012 - The Annual Altarboy Retreat will take place at Christ the Saviour Cathedral and Seminary in Johnstown from July 1-4, 2012. Parents are urged to encourage their sons to attend. Deadline for registration is June 18, 2012. Learn More and Register On-line at http://www.acrod.org/ministries/vocation/abretreatprogram/abforms-registration/abr-2012-registration

ACRY - A leadership position known as the ACRY Ambassador has been created to generate a greater awareness of and interest in the ACRY within our diocese. This position also was created to provide recognition to an individual who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Orthodox Faith through their unselfish philanthropic service to their Church, Community and Local /National ACRY.

The ACRY Ambassador is called upon to exemplify the ACRY'S commitment to service to others in the name of Christ through his/her participation in a charitable outreach and/or missionary projects on a local, national or global level, sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (Real Break Program) the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), Habitat for Humanity or other charitable agencies .

The Ambassador is also tasked with sharing the good news of the ACRY through speaking engagements at diocesan, parish and ACRY events, written reflections published in the Church Messenger and in the digital media and through personal contact with diocesan faithful of all ages.p

ACRY members are invited to apply for this position by August 1, 2012.

Diocesan Apostolate For Youth: Diocesan youth are encouraged to submit reflections, articles and news to be included in the Daylight youth newsletter.For more information and to submit information for publication please email Fr. Michael Chendorain, the editor of Daylight at fathermikec@verizon.net

Orthodox Christian Fellowship Campus Ministry - All diocesan parish priests have been asked to submit the names of all incoming first year college students for the 2012-2013 academic year to the North American Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) office. This is for their new First Forty Days. As the name implies, during the first forty days of the 2012 academic year, OCF through its endorsed local chaplains will personally contact each Orthodox incoming college student and provide them with information regarding the closest Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship Group on Campus. Parishes are asked to download a spreadsheet, fill it out with the requested contact information and email to contacts@ocf.net by June 21, 2012. Click Here To Download Form

Liturgical Resources: Vespers propers for the Sunday of All Saints can be downloaded by Clicking Here

Benefit Golf Outing: St John the Baptist Orthodox Church of East Pittsburgh PA is hosting a Golf outing on Saturday July 14, 2012 at the Valley Green Country Club in Greensburg, PA. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Christ the Saviour Seminary and Camp Nazareth. Cost is $95 per person and includes green fees, cart, refreshments and steak dinner. For more information and to register contact Bob Perevuznik, Sr. at (412) 823-2160 or rpvuznik@comcast.net